The Right Fit for Happy Feet

For those individuals who work on their feet all day, a poor fitting work boot can make an ordinary work day last for what seems to be an eternity. When shopping for a boot, many people base their boot selection on appearance, but don't take into consideration whether the boot actually provides them with a good fit.

Why Proper Fit is Important

What most people fail to realize is that an improper fitting work boot can lead to conditions such as:

Calluses

Corns

Fatigue

Ingrown toenails

These conditions can make your feet unbearable to work with.

A new work boot should fit comfortably right from the start and not require a so-called "break-in" period. Simply put, if the work boot does not fit comfortably brand new, you can anticipate that the boot is not a good fit. No two feet are exactly alike, and a style that feels comfortable to one person may be uncomfortable to another.

What is the Right Fit?

If you're wondering whether the boots you have purchased provide you with the proper fit, ask yourself the following questions:

Can you wiggle your toes? A little bit of room is good.

Do your toes press against the front of the boot when you're on a downward incline? They shouldn't.

Does your heel stay in place when you walk around? It should.

How about the width? Slightly snug, but not tight is best.

Do you feel any "hot spots" when you walk around? If so, they will more than likely get worse and cause blisters.

When the boot is comfortably laced, do the two rows of eyelets stay parallel to each other from your toes to your ankle? If not, it can mean you need a different width.

If you will be using the boots on rocky or uneven terrain, walk around and see if you can feel bumps and edges through the outsole. If you can, you will really feel them after a few miles on the trail.

Reviewing these questions will help you in deciding whether you have chosen the boot and fit that's right for you.Questions courtesy of Danner® boots